Reed Vise 134 1/2 R

[hobkirk]

MOVED to CORRECT PLACE!
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Hello - First post, yard sale find, I learned enough here to get started, but I'd like to learn more, including advice on "restore" or "don't restore," suggested starting price if I put it on eBay, etc.

I used to have an auto repair shop (14 years, 3 techs, VW/Audi/Porsche) but now I'm mostly woodworking. But I buy (and sometimes sell) all kinds of tools. This vise was an obvious "buy." The lever wouldn't turn, but the overall condition seemed excellent. After lugging it out of the car, my first step was to weigh it. 32-33? What? I'm not that weak! Oh, two scales. 72#.

The first pics show how I got it. A few hours later I managed to "penetrate" the slide free. The Acme nut solution and the front bearing both impressed me.

I cleaned up the slide surfaces (NOTE: I have not removed the front bearing yet - I just found a post ["Black Reed"] that taught me how.) I've scoured most of the painted surface with a brass brush. After I remove the bearing, I will clean the screw and the top of the slide better.

1. How much farther should I go if I plan to sell it?
   • The mesh floor in my friend's sandblaster is too weak, so I'd need to pay to get it bead blasted.
   • I do have phosphoric acid which removes rust quite well, but I don't know what it does to paint.
2. What's a minimum price for something like this? I can't find my notes on items sold, but my recollection is it should be around $150. (I realize $2/pound is way above "everything about vises" thread!)

Thank you.

 

[oldldh]

Post that wee beastie on the "Vises" thread...

You will be inundated with "How-to's"...

That is a very nice vise, you have there...I'd be tempted to restore it, and keep it...

 

[Saiga]

 

[EOC_Jason]

1. How much farther should I go if I plan to sell it?
   • The mesh floor in my friend's sandblaster is too weak, so I'd need to pay to get it bead blasted.
   • I do have phosphoric acid which removes rust quite well, but I don't know what it does to paint.
2. What's a minimum price for something like this? I can't find my notes on items sold, but my recollection is it should be around $150. (I realize $2/pound is way above "everything about vises" thread!)

If you are going to sell it, I wouldn't do anything past making sure it opens and closes and maybe brush off any gunk... Let the next guy decide if they want to keep it all natural or restore it however they want. People are only concerned that it's not seized up, and there are no chips or cracks, and also like to see the condition of the jaws and if there are and hammer dents or cuts.

It is an exposed screw, which don't seem to be as popular, but there are some people that still collect them. It is a Reed so I'm sure it's quite beefy. If you want top dollar you better be willing to ship it... Up north I'm sure people find those for $10, but other places $150 doesn't sound unreasonable for the condition it's in, maybe a little on the high side. Like I said, it all depends on finding a person that wants or can use that model.

 

[Fretters]

If you are going to sell it, I wouldn't do anything past making sure it opens and closes and maybe brush off any gunk... Let the next guy decide if they want to keep it all natural or restore it however they want.

I'd agree with Jason. It's always a tough call on that point though. Some of us won't touch things with a bargepole which have been tarted up, but there are others out there who honestly don't want to have to do an ounce of work themselves to have something in finished condition. It depends on what type of person you're aiming at selling to.

 

[Myronbuddy]

How old is a 134 R reed vise anyone k mlm ow?

 

[Maui]

k mlm ow??